Well, most of last weekend was spent in the creation of Captain Jack Sparrow's vest and shirt. I am only semi-happy with the results.

I found a lot of wonderful information about how to make Jack's costume from this site: How To Make A Captain Jack Sparrow Costume. When I was doing the original research for this costume two years ago, I also saved some really terrific photos of the original garments used in the film. I had originally intended to use a modern pattern and alter it to 18th-century cuts with my limited knowledge base, helped out by these photos and one pattern illustration of a man's coat that I found on the internet. (I don't know where all this stuff is now--I didn't bookmark any of it.)

However, when I was pattern-shopping a couple of weeks ago, I found Simplicity Pattern 4923--a passable replication of Jack Sparrow's garb. With a few alterations, it would be perfect. And score! It was only $1.99!

The vest turned out looking much more Will Turner than Captain Jack. I should have altered the neckline on the vest some. Also, if I remember correctly, the original film-used vest was unlined, but since the fabric I chose was fairly thin, I chose to line it anyway.

I purchased all this fabric in Peace River, and our selection up there was pretty limited, so the colours are not 100% on, either. I substituted the dark blue front of the vest for a lighter blue, and the brown-striped back of the vest for a gray-striped. In other words, the waistcoat--while looking fairly 18th-century--does not look much like Jack Sparrow's. Sigh.

For the shirt, I used the really amazing and authentic pattern found at Esoteric Creations. I find it laughable now that I thought that the pattern must be easy-peasy because it was created completely from squares and rectangles. Hah!

In truth, the pattern is not that difficult, but there are a few words of caution I would add to anyone trying it:

Remember to add seam allowances over and above what the measurements given are. This only became a problem for me on the cuffs, fortunately. Even more fortunately, Jack Sparrow usually leaves one or both cuffs unbuttoned, so this time around, it is not a big deal.

If you have never flat-felled a seam before, perhaps you should try making a swatch for practice first, instead of having to rip out your seams over, and over, and over...

Some parts, like the neck gussets, are actually easier to apply with hand-sewing.

Don't be watching really engrossing movies during it's creation, such as Pirates of the Caribbean 3, or you will have to rip out your seams and start over, and over, and over...

Try not to sew later than your normal bedtime. The later you stay up after that, the more mistakes you are likely to make.

Despite all that, the shirt was finished, and although made from broadcloth instead of linen, works well enough for costuming purposes. In fact, it looks comfy enough to be my night-shirt! (Ahem.)

Winters' Day In

Get more encouraging and knitterly posts by following me on Instagram @TalenaWinters.

Do you remember the softstone candleholder that got crushed in my luggage on the way home from India last year, and that I repaired with Krazy Glue?
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Well, today the sun is shining through it. Just like me. Thank you all so much for your love and support yesterday. It meant so much.
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#seekbeauty #todayiseeit #spreadsunshine #todayisabetterday #grief #childloss #healingisaprocess #beautyinthebroken #weddingpicphotobomb

It's been a rough week. I came down with a brutal cold that's kept me from doing much for the past 7 days, my friend and neighbour who drives bus was in a collison yesterday morning and has severe injuries (and a child was injured, too), there was a carbon monoxide gas leak at my kids' school yesterday and the whole school was sent home at noon, my dad had a (scheduled) surgery yesterday (but he's fine, thankfully), and one of my dearest friends seems to have gone from Jekyll to Hyde and won't listen to reason. Also, 2 of my kids have a band concert tonight, the same night as my student piano recital. I guess it shouldn't surprise me that under all that stress, I seem to be having a hard grieving day, thinking about Levi. I just need to breathe, and pray, and perhaps play a little, too. This day will pass, and tomorrow I can try again.
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#managinggrief #whenitrains #childloss #somedaysareharder #lifehappens #musicteacher #pianoteacher #momlife #seekbeauty #sometimesitshardtosee

writer - (noun) 1. a peculiar organism capable of transforming caffeine into books.
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Not sure who came up with that one, but it's so true. ;-)
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I'm having so much fun writing my mermaid story. (Or, as they call themselves, "undines".) I can't wait until I can share it with you!
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Happy Tuesday!
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#writers #writerslife #writersofig #themermaidstearnovel #bookstagram #amwriting #amreading #fantasybooks #youngadultbooks #mermaids #tea #ilovetea #teaismyfavourite #teamakesmehappy

I've been having a major case of the "I-don't-have-anything-to-talk-abouts" lately, probably because I've been so busy with work. Progress is being made on my mermaid story, plus I'm trying to get a little work done with some of my knitting patterns. (I even filmed a tutorial video this week. Yeah, I know, but it's a big deal for me. Still need to edit it.)
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In other news, if we don't get any more snow for the rest of the winter, I'd be fine with that. Not holding my breath or anything. (It's pretty coming down but not so fun to drive through.)
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Happy December. May your days be merry and bright, especially if you live in the north like me and they are only 7.5 hours long right now.
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#december #allworknoplay #seekbeauty #spreadsunshine #peacecountry #peaceriver #rosehips #photography #lightplay #autumnmemory #writersofig #writerslife

Last Saturday, I tried my first Pumpkin Spice Latte ever. Yes, ever. It was from Tim Hortons, and left me with a distinct "meh" feeling, like if I never have one again, I'd be totally fine with that. In fact, I would probably actively avoid having one again, if I knew one was coming my way.
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Yesterday, since I had access to Starbucks and since I decided that I maybe shouldn't judge all PSLs by Tim Hortons' version, I tried again. This one was more "eh", as in, if I have one every year or two, that would be okay. I wouldn't mind. But I'm not going to seek them out, dream of them, rave about them, join the club and get a T-shirt.
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I've always said I want my coffee to taste like dessert. But, apparently, not like pumpkin pie.
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That was my major self-revelatory moment for the week. How did your week go, friend?
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#psl @starbucks #coffee #latteatsunset #nopslforme #coffeebreak #deepthoughts #movingon

Nice to see that my books are keeping good company at the Fairview Freson Bros. There will soon be copies available at the GP North location, too. Yippee!
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#writersofig #indieauthor #writerslife #romance #shoplocal #albertaauthor #canadianauthor #findingheavennovel #fridaynightdatedress #bookstagram

This is what I was up to yesterday afternoon--delivering books to a local grocery store. Peace Country shoppers, you can now get these great reads at the Freson Bros stores in both Peace River and Fairview. Today's a great time to pick up a gift for yourself or someone else. Happy Black Friday!
(Everyone else--check out my books at www.talenawinters.com. Link in bio.)
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#blackfriday #bookstagram #writersofig #romanticsuspense #cleanromance #findingheavennovel #fridaynightdatedress @fresonbros #goodbooks #pageturners #romancebooks #survivorawareness #abuseawareness #healingispossible #metoo

Spent the afternoon delivering books and belting out loud with @kchenoweth, @idinamenzel and @peterhollens. #myhappyplace
#stephenschwartzisagenius #wickedismyfavouritemusical #butiveneverseenit
(Peter, this album is amazing!)
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Sunset at 4:22, show tunes, and acapella Christmas carols? Must be November in the Peace Country.
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And re: the book delivery. More on that in a bit.
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#writerslife #writersofig #indieauthor #musicaltheatregeek #wickedthemusical #findingheavennovel #peacecountry #gomightypeace

#colourinspiration .
I like looking at this on my side table. Sometimes I even #knit on it.
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But not today.
#todayisforwriting #andstayingwarm
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What's inspiring you today?
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#sockknitting #toeupsocks #writerswhoknit #knitstagram #knittingbooks #bookstagram #itssopurty